Man in Mason-Fulton meth ring sentenced

PEORIA — A 28-year-old man linked to a methamphetamine ring in Mason and Fulton counties was sentenced Wednesday to five years in federal prison.

Russell W. Brookman III had faced, in theory, up to life in prison but his actual sentencing range was far less than that. He pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy. Senior U.S. District Judge Michael Mihm also imposed a four-year term of supervised release.

The plea agreement contained little information other than to say the conspiracy lasted from 2010 until last summer and involved more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.

Brookman was indicted along with four others as part of an ongoing federal-state crackdown on meth production in the area. The crackdown, known as either Operation Saddle Up or Copperhead, has netted more than 150 federal indictments and dozens of convictions.

Jed Welker, 34, the man federal prosecutors put at the top of the conspiracy, pleaded guilty in January to a similar count. He awaits sentencing later this month, also by Mihm.